Irma brings fears of surge, sewers and toxins to Tampa area

Tamara Lush and Jason Dearen, Associated Press

Updated 3:56 am, Monday, September 11, 2017

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Drone footage over Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa, Florida Sunday showed receded waters along the waterfront road, leading forecasters to caution people not to venture out there since the water would return with a potentially deadly vengeance. (Sept. 10)

Media: Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — As Irma marches up Florida's Gulf Coast toward Tampa Bay, residents fear what the storm will do to an area that hasn't taken a direct hit from a major hurricane since 1921.

From punishing winds to catastrophic storm surge, the area is bracing for devastation. Vulnerable structures range from the towering Sunshine Skyway Bridge to toxic waste sites from the state's phosphorous mining industry.

A 2013 World Bank study that ranked cities according to their vulnerability to major storms placed Tampa at number seven — among all cities in the world.

"We're going to be inundated with unprecedented amounts of water," Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn said Sunday. "It's going to stress our storm water and sewer capacity. There's going to be overflows. There's no two ways around it."

Photo: Chris O'Meara, AP

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National Guard amphibious vehicles stage at Raymond James Stadium Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Tampa, Fla., as Hurricane Irma continues to churn towards the state. As Irma marches up Florida's Gulf Coast toward Tampa Bay, residents fear what the storm will do to an area that hasn't taken a direct hit from a major hurricane since 1921. less

A truck is seen on its side after being blown over as Hurricane Irma passed through on September 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida.

A truck is seen on its side after being blown over as Hurricane Irma passed through on September 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida.

Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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A boat is washed on shore at the Watson Island marina as Hurricane Irma passed through the area on September 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida.

A boat is washed on shore at the Watson Island marina as Hurricane Irma passed through the area on September 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida.

Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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Downed trees and a windblown trampoline block a street as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state September 10, 2017 in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Downed trees and a windblown trampoline block a street as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state September 10, 2017 in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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Two men walk through a downed tree as Hurricane Irma's full force strikes in Miami, Fla., on Sept. 10, 2017.

Two men walk through a downed tree as Hurricane Irma's full force strikes in Miami, Fla., on Sept. 10, 2017.

Photo: Marcus Yam/LA Times Via Getty Images

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Heavy winds and rain from Hurricane Irma are seen in Miami, Florida on September 10, 2017. Hurricane Irma's eyewall slammed into the lower Florida Keys, lashing the island chain with fearsome wind gusts, the US National Hurricane Center said. less

Heavy winds and rain from Hurricane Irma are seen in Miami, Florida on September 10, 2017. Hurricane Irma's eyewall slammed into the lower Florida Keys, lashing the island chain with fearsome wind gusts, the US ... more

A tree branch felled by tropical storm winds narrowly misses parked cars as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state September 10, 2017 in Pompano Beach, Florida.

A tree branch felled by tropical storm winds narrowly misses parked cars as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state September 10, 2017 in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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Blown sand from Pompano Beach coats bushes and mail boxes as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state September 10, 2017 in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Blown sand from Pompano Beach coats bushes and mail boxes as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state September 10, 2017 in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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A twisted street sign turns in the wind along East Atlantic Boulevard as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state September 10, 2017 in Pompano Beach, Florida.

A twisted street sign turns in the wind along East Atlantic Boulevard as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state September 10, 2017 in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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People walk past a building where the roof was blown off by Hurricane Irma on September 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida.

People walk past a building where the roof was blown off by Hurricane Irma on September 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida.

Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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Staff and guests mop up and board the front door of a hotel after it blew open in Bonita Springs, Florida, northeast of Naples, on September 10, 2017 as Hurricane Irma hits Florida.

Staff and guests mop up and board the front door of a hotel after it blew open in Bonita Springs, Florida, northeast of Naples, on September 10, 2017 as Hurricane Irma hits Florida.

Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

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A billboard is ripped apart by high winds along Interstate 95 Northbound as Hurricane Irma passes by, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Miami.

A billboard is ripped apart by high winds along Interstate 95 Northbound as Hurricane Irma passes by, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Miami.

Photo: Wilfredo Lee, AP

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A crane tower is seen after part of it collapsed from the winds of Hurricane Irma on September 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida.

A crane tower is seen after part of it collapsed from the winds of Hurricane Irma on September 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida.

Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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High winds split a large tree in the Coral Beach neighborhood as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

High winds split a large tree in the Coral Beach neighborhood as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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Fernando Oropeza walks up the stairs after taking his dog Simon out for a walk at a hotel on September 10, 2017 in Fort Myers, Florida.

Fernando Oropeza walks up the stairs after taking his dog Simon out for a walk at a hotel on September 10, 2017 in Fort Myers, Florida.

Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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Cypress Rudloe waits to evacuate his last remaining nurse shark at the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab, across the street from Dickerson Bay, ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Irma September 10, 2017 in Panacea, Florida. Gulf Specimen is a marine teaching lab and has evacuated two sharks and a loggerhead sea turtle to Atlanta.

Cypress Rudloe waits to evacuate his last remaining nurse shark at the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab, across the street from Dickerson Bay, ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Irma September 10, 2017 in Panacea,

Boats ride out Hurricane Irma in a marina on September 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida. Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm on Sunday, lashing the state with 130 mph winds as it moves up the coast.

Boats ride out Hurricane Irma in a marina on September 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida. Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm on Sunday, lashing the state with 130 mph winds as it

A TV reporter braces against the wind and walking towards safety, as Hurricane Irma approaches in Miami, Fla., on Sept. 10, 2017.

A TV reporter braces against the wind and walking towards safety, as Hurricane Irma approaches in Miami, Fla., on Sept. 10, 2017.

Photo: Marcus Yam/LA Times Via Getty Images

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A man stands by the Miami river as the water lever surges during the passing of Hurricane Irma in Miami, Fla., on Sept. 10, 2017.

A man stands by the Miami river as the water lever surges during the passing of Hurricane Irma in Miami, Fla., on Sept. 10, 2017.

Photo: Marcus Yam/LA Times Via Getty Images

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Evacuees, from left, Dennis Larios, Odaliz Larios, Jennifer Larios and Kevin Renoso, wait to leave the Germain Arena, which was used as an evacuation shelter for Hurricane Irma, which passed through yesterday, in Estero, Fla., Monday, Sept. 11, 2017. less

Evacuees, from left, Dennis Larios, Odaliz Larios, Jennifer Larios and Kevin Renoso, wait to leave the Germain Arena, which was used as an evacuation shelter for Hurricane Irma, which passed through yesterday, ... more

Photo: Gerald Herbert, Associated Press

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Heavy winds and rain from Hurricane Irma are seen in Miami, Florida, September 10, 2017. Hurricane Irma's eyewall slammed into the lower Florida Keys, lashing the island chain with fearsome wind gusts, the US National Hurricane Center said.

Heavy winds and rain from Hurricane Irma are seen in Miami, Florida, September 10, 2017. Hurricane Irma's eyewall slammed into the lower Florida Keys, lashing the island chain with fearsome wind gusts, the US

Cyclists stop for a selfie on the shore ahead of Hurricane Irma's arrival in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., Sept. 10, 2017.

Cyclists stop for a selfie on the shore ahead of Hurricane Irma's arrival in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., Sept. 10, 2017.

Photo: JOHNNY MILANO, NYT

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Large waves produced by Hurricane Irma crash into the end of Anglins Fishing Pier September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Large waves produced by Hurricane Irma crash into the end of Anglins Fishing Pier September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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A dolphin statue at the Anglins Fishing Pier lies toppled by Hurricane Irma September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

A dolphin statue at the Anglins Fishing Pier lies toppled by Hurricane Irma September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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A U.S. flag is tattered by winds produced by Hurricane Irma September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

A U.S. flag is tattered by winds produced by Hurricane Irma September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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Large waves produced by Hurricane Irma crash into the end of Anglins Fishing Pier September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Large waves produced by Hurricane Irma crash into the end of Anglins Fishing Pier September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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Hotel guests navigate a stairwell by flashlight as the power remains off at the Courtyard by Marriott one day after Hurricane Irma struck the state September 11, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Hotel guests navigate a stairwell by flashlight as the power remains off at the Courtyard by Marriott one day after Hurricane Irma struck the state September 11, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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Two women walk their dog and take a moment to look at the receding water on Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa, Florida, on September 10, 2017, where residents are fleeing the evacuation zones ahead of Hurricane Irma's landfall. less

Two women walk their dog and take a moment to look at the receding water on Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa, Florida, on September 10, 2017, where residents are fleeing the evacuation zones ahead of Hurricane ... more

Photo: JIM WATSON, AFP/Getty Images

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The few motorists remaining on the roads pass empty fuel pumps at a closed gas station ahead of Hurricane Irma on September 10, 2017 in Tampa, Florida.

The few motorists remaining on the roads pass empty fuel pumps at a closed gas station ahead of Hurricane Irma on September 10, 2017 in Tampa, Florida.

Photo: Brian Blanco/Getty Images

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A Key West resident watches as waves crash onto a seawall in Key West, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. Hurricane Irma is approaching the Florida Keys with many residents refusing to be evacuated.

A Key West resident watches as waves crash onto a seawall in Key West, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. Hurricane Irma is approaching the Florida Keys with many residents refusing to be evacuated.

Photo: Charles Trainor Jr./TNS

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A sailboat crashes on the shore near Mallory Square as the effects of Hurricane Irma move into the Florida Straits on Key West, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

A sailboat crashes on the shore near Mallory Square as the effects of Hurricane Irma move into the Florida Straits on Key West, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Photo: Charles Trainor Jr./TNS

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A lone swimmer braves the waves as Hurricane Irma approaches the Florida coast on September 9, 2017 in Hollywood Beach, Fl.

A lone swimmer braves the waves as Hurricane Irma approaches the Florida coast on September 9, 2017 in Hollywood Beach, Fl.

Photo: The Washington Post/The Washington Post/Getty Images

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An fire and rescue vehicle stops under the arches of the Eastbound span of the Beach Boulevard bridge that connects the beaches to the mainland of Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, as Hurricane Irma passes the area. less

An fire and rescue vehicle stops under the arches of the Eastbound span of the Beach Boulevard bridge that connects the beaches to the mainland of Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, as Hurricane Irma ... more

Photo: Bob Self, Associated Press

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A car sits abandoned in storm surge along North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

A car sits abandoned in storm surge along North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard as Hurricane Irma hits the southern part of the state September 10, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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An abandoned car that was stranded in storm surge remains on North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard one day after Hurricane Irma slamed into the southern part of the State September 11, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. less

An abandoned car that was stranded in storm surge remains on North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard one day after Hurricane Irma slamed into the southern part of the State September 11, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, ... more

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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Jerry Darnell stands in front of his house that was flooded by Hurricane Irma on September 11, 2017 in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Jerry Darnell stands in front of his house that was flooded by Hurricane Irma on September 11, 2017 in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Photo: Mark Wilson

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This photo provided by Michael Sechler shows a stranded manatee in Manatee County, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The mammal was stranded after waters receded from the Florida bay as Hurricane Irma approached.

This photo provided by Michael Sechler shows a stranded manatee in Manatee County, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. The mammal was stranded after waters receded from the Florida bay as Hurricane Irma approached.

Photo: Michael Sechler, Associated Press

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People walk through downed trees the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on September 11, 2017 in Fort Myers, Florida.

People walk through downed trees the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on September 11, 2017 in Fort Myers, Florida.

Photo: Spencer Platt

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Partially submerged boats caused by Hurricane Irma sit in the water in a marina in downtown Miami, Florida, September 11, 2017.

Partially submerged boats caused by Hurricane Irma sit in the water in a marina in downtown Miami, Florida, September 11, 2017.

Photo: SAUL LOEB, AFP/Getty Images

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Mia Herman has an acquitance take a photo of her sitting on a fire hydrant on a flooded street as Hurricane Irma hits Miami on Sunday.

Mia Herman has an acquitance take a photo of her sitting on a fire hydrant on a flooded street as Hurricane Irma hits Miami on Sunday.

Photo: Matt McClain, The Washington Post

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The roof of a gas station is shown damaged by Hurricane Irma winds on September 11, 2017 in Bonita Springs, Florida.

The roof of a gas station is shown damaged by Hurricane Irma winds on September 11, 2017 in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

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Evacuees leave the Germain Arena, which was used as an evacuation shelter for Hurricane Irma, which passed through yesterday, in Estero, Fla., Monday, Sept. 11, 2017.

Evacuees leave the Germain Arena, which was used as an evacuation shelter for Hurricane Irma, which passed through yesterday, in Estero, Fla., Monday, Sept. 11, 2017.

Photo: Gerald Herbert, Associated Press

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Tony Loduca walks back to his apartment past a roof whose tiles where torn off from Hurricane Irma in Marco Island, Fla., Monday, Sept. 11, 2017.

Tony Loduca walks back to his apartment past a roof whose tiles where torn off from Hurricane Irma in Marco Island, Fla., Monday, Sept. 11, 2017.

Photo: David Goldman, Associated Press

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A man carries a street sign that had fallen due to the winds by Hurricane Irma in Miami, Florida, September 11, 2017.

A man carries a street sign that had fallen due to the winds by Hurricane Irma in Miami, Florida, September 11, 2017.

Photo: SAUL LOEB, AFP/Getty Images

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Neighbors emerge from their homes to get a first look at the damage to their neighborhood caused by Hurricane Irma on September 11, 2017 in Fort Meade, Florida.

Neighbors emerge from their homes to get a first look at the damage to their neighborhood caused by Hurricane Irma on September 11, 2017 in Fort Meade, Florida.

Photo: Brian Blanco, Getty Images

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Ducks swim through a street the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on September 11, 2017 in Naples, Florida.

Ducks swim through a street the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on September 11, 2017 in Naples, Florida.

Photo: Spencer Platt, Getty Images

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Men clear debris from a roadway the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on September 11, 2017 in Naples, Florida.

Men clear debris from a roadway the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on September 11, 2017 in Naples, Florida.

Photo: Spencer Platt, Getty Images

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A couple leave their flooded home the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on September 11, 2017 in Fort Myers, Florida.

A couple leave their flooded home the morning after Hurricane Irma swept through the area on September 11, 2017 in Fort Myers, Florida.

Photo: Spencer Platt

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Hotel guests are served breakfast by lamplight as the power remains off at the Courtyard by Marriott one day after Hurricane Irma struck the state September 11, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Hotel guests are served breakfast by lamplight as the power remains off at the Courtyard by Marriott one day after Hurricane Irma struck the state September 11, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Gonzalo Saldivar and his one year-old son Luke get their first look at the roof that flew off of their home and landed at a nearby intersection during the high winds caused by Hurricane Irma on September 11, 2017 in Bowling Green, Florida. less

Gonzalo Saldivar and his one year-old son Luke get their first look at the roof that flew off of their home and landed at a nearby intersection during the high winds caused by Hurricane Irma on September 11, ... more

Photo: Brian Blanco, Getty Images

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A home with a religious message taped to the front door sits apparently undamaged just hours after Hurricane Irma passed through the area on September 11, 2017 in Fort Meade, Florida.

A home with a religious message taped to the front door sits apparently undamaged just hours after Hurricane Irma passed through the area on September 11, 2017 in Fort Meade, Florida.

Photo: Brian Blanco, Getty Images

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Irma brings fears of surge, sewers and toxins to Tampa area

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Irma arrived as a Category 4 storm but had fallen to a Category 2 with 110 mph (177 kph) winds by late Sunday afternoon and was continuing to weaken as it marched up Florida's Gulf Coast. Its center was on track to reach the Tampa Bay area by late Sunday or early Monday.

The four-county area, with approximately 3 million residents, encompasses two of Florida's largest cities: Tampa and St. Petersburg. The area is known for its sugar-sand beaches, the Busch Gardens theme park and the Salvador Dali Museum.

Among the chief concerns is storm surge. A report released in June by CoreLogic, a global property information firm, said nearly 455,000 Tampa Bay homes could be damaged by hurricane storm surges, the most in any major metro area except Miami and New York City. And rebuilding all those homes could cost $80.6 billion, the report said.

In 2016, the risk-management consultancy Karen Clark & Co. said Tampa Bay is the nation's most vulnerable metro area to storm surge flooding caused by a once-in-century hurricane. The Boston-based firm said Tampa Bay acts as a "large funnel" for surges, forcing water into narrow channels and bayous with nowhere else to go.

Officials in Tampa Bay studied a scenario eerily similar to Irma in a 2010 report that looked at what would happen if a Category 5 hurricane hit the area. To be sure, Irma is not that powerful, but it is the strongest storm to hit the area in decades.

The 2010 report anticipated wind damage from a hypothetical Category 5 storm would destroy nearly half a million homes and businesses if it hit the coast near Tampa Bay. And while Irma differs from the storm modeled by the researchers, their report was an ominous foreshadowing.

Storm surges can overwhelm area cities' wastewater treatment plants, sending runoff into Tampa Bay. When Hurricane Hermine brushed past in September 2016, several municipalities released partially treated sewage into Tampa Bay because treatment plants ran out of capacity.

Toxic waste sites in the Tampa Bay region also pose risks to public health if they are flooded or damaged.

Florida has the nation's largest phosphorus mining industry, and it's based in the area. A byproduct of the industry is 27 hill-sized piles of waste containing low levels of radiation and other toxins, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Some of the piles are 500 feet tall.

Last year, a huge sinkhole opened up beneath one of these stacks, sending millions of gallons of contaminated mine wastewater into the Floridan Aquifer, a drinking water source for millions. The hole remained open for months until earlier this year when the owner, Mosaic, finally managed to create a preliminary seal.

But the repairs are not finished and could be vulnerable to the storm.

Mosaic spokeswoman Callie Neslund said in an email on Sunday the company has been working to complete repairs. She said a well meant to recover pollutants is working, along with back-up generators.

The region is also home to more than half of Florida's 54 Superfund sites - areas designated as some of the most toxic places in the nation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Many are old chemical or oil storage facilities that left behind a legacy of dangerous contamination in soil and groundwater. State and federal government agencies have been working to clean them up for decades.

Florida's Department of Environmental Protection said it would be testing groundwater as soon as it's safe to do so after the storm. EPA said it will also be on the ground after the storm.

EPA spokeswoman Amy Graham said in an email that "these facilities will be properly assessed to ensure there are no potential adverse impacts to human health and the environment."